Select a wash temperature that’s as close as possible to the maximum wash temperature on the care label.
If you need that shirt this evening, you may need to select the quick wash programme (cycle), even if you know your garment could have got cleaner still on a full-length cycle.
Many people fail to realise that you have to take in two bits of information on wash labels: the temperature of the water and the type of wash programme the item can safely withstand. These are not the same. So when you see the cotton symbol, you can’t assume that the fabric can take the top temperature.
Choose the proper spin programme.
Clothes going in the tumble drier can take a long or extra spin. But if you’re washing nylons and synthetics that you plan to hang out, choose a lighter spin, so that the clothes don’t pick up creases in a long spin.
Put detergent in the machine.
Add tablets, powder, or liquid to the dispenser. If you use liquid capsules, put them in before the clothes. However, powder tablets contained in the manufacturer’s net bag need to sit on top of the washing, so add the bag after you add the clothes.
Put the dirty items in the machine.
Don’t overload the machine. If you pack it too tightly, there’s less room for the machine to agitate the dirt out of your washing. The best way to get a correct load is to weigh it to fit in with your machine’s capacity As a very rough guide, if you have more than 15 items, you’ve put in too much.